Balance Adventure with Relaxation in St. Thomas

The water is the main attraction on St. Thomas. Plan to spend some time exploring it in your preferred format, whether that’s a snorkeling or sailing excursion or admiring it from the comfort of a white sand beach. If you have time, venture beyond the closest beach at your resort to explore other spots on the island. Magens Bay, Secret Harbor, Sapphire Beach, Coki Point and Brewers Bay are among the local favorites. Take the Mermaid’s Chair hike at low tide to walk the small strip of land dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea; take a day trip to nearby Cas Cay to hike amid tidal pools, volcanic cliffs, a geologic blowhole and plentiful beach views.

For history buffs, a walk around Charlotte Amalie will reveal plenty of the island’s colonial-era history if you simply take it slow and observe the details around you. Fort Christian has a small museum inside its distinctive red building. The St. Thomas Historical Trust operates a museum — open by appointment only — and also offers walking tours. The Pirates Treasure Museum Head up the hill to take a tour of the second-oldest synagogue in the United States. Guests of all ages can appreciate the immersive, interactive exhibits at the Pirates Treasure Museum, as well as the collections of objects retrieved from deep-sea shipwrecks. Learn more about the island’s history at the French Heritage Museum, a charming little museum located in Frenchtown in a building that previously served as a fire station and a medical clinic.

When you’re ready for refreshments, head to Charlotte Amalie, Frenchtown or Havensight near the cruise terminal. Note: Some businesses may be closed when a cruise ship is not in port. Outside of these centers, restaurants tend to be concentrated at or near the resorts, and you’ll need to travel by car to reach these areas. Renting a car may be a good idea. Be warned that taxis do not accept credit cards, and they are expensive! If you need a ride from your resort to a different one for an excursion, that can easily run you $50 or more each way. If you’re there for a longer stay or are on a budget, consider looking into the “dollar safari” buses, independently owned buses that do not follow official routes or schedules. They run frequently and are widely used by locals and seasonal workers; traveling across the island will require transferring buses, but it will only cost you $1 for each leg of your trip.

Day trips:

St. John

U.S. Virgin Islands National Park takes up two-thirds of the neighboring island of St. John, making this a lovely destination for a day hike. Because most of the island is protected parkland, the restaurants and stores are more concentrated in a small area than they are on St. Thomas, giving St. John a walkable area you can easily explore for shopping for jewelry and souvenirs, food, drinks and live music. Get a bushwhacker — the deceptively strong drink that tastes like a chocolate milkshake — at one of the beach bars or kick back with local brews on the patio at St. John Brewers. Ferries from St. Thomas to St. John leave from Crown Bay Marina and Red Hook as well as central Charlotte Amalie multiple times daily.

British Virgin Islands

For visiting the British Virgin Islands, you’ll want to work with a tour provider to help you get the most out of your day trip. They’ll handle all entry requirements — just be sure to bring your passport since you’re technically entering the UK! Your trip might include a snorkeling stop or two, plus a wet-and-dry hike among the famous rock formations at The Baths and a stop at the iconic Soggy Dollar bar.

St. Croix

To get to St. Croix from St. Thomas, you can take a ferry, a regular airplane or a seaplane. Explore the island’s Danish colonial history in the town of Christiansted, take a tour with a local guide to learn about the melding of Spanish, French, Taino and African cultures on the island. Explore the St. George Village Botanical Gardens or the Carambola tide pools, or take a snorkeling, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding excursion to observe the marine environment.

Frenchtown has a concentration of eating and drinking establishments ranging from fast casual to upscale. Visit Taco Chelles for transcendent tacos. Menu options vary, but examples include a gyro taco, a taco with roast beef and horseradish and the spicy hot fried chicken taco — complete with a pickle on top. Nearby is the always-packed French Quarter Bistro, serving up New Orleans-style cuisine with a Caribbean flair. Frenchtown Deli is good for sandwiches and snacks before heading out for a snorkeling or beach excursion — or after a trip to Frenchtown Brewing Co. to taste some local brews. Just down the street, Oceana offers stunning views from its waterside location on an estate owned by the island’s first Danish governor in the 17th century — and its seafood-centric menu earns rave reviews.

In central Charlotte Amalie, Taphus has local beers — and sometimes food; strike up a conversation with the bartender to learn about the building’s fascinating history. In the same area, the Greenhouse has more remarkable food than its humble appearance might indicate, and its extensive menu means there’s something for everyone.

Inside a small strip mall near the cruise ship terminal, Pizza Amore serves up a slice of nostalgia alongside New York-style pizza and décor to match; this local staple has been open since 1988. Just up the road, Cravin’ Crabs delivers more upscale cuisine than the name and sign might lead you to believe. Try the Filipino dishes on the menu for a taste of the owners’ heritage.

Red Hook is far away from nearly everything unless you’re staying at the Ritz-Carlton, but Hook’d USVI is worth the trip. Let the afternoon fade into evening as you linger under the cheerful red umbrellas, enjoying harbor views and savoring well-made cocktails, Caribbean fare and pub favorites — the fish and chips in particular earns accolades.